Pedestrians only plan not on agenda

NEGATIVE feedback from residents and businesses has resulted in the borough council withdrawing proposals to pedestrianise Whitley Bay town centre.

A consultation document relating to a proposed Area Action Plan for the coast, North Shields and Wallsend earlier this year stated that “pedestrianising the town centre will assist regeneration”.

The flyer said traffic would be redirected around York Road, should the proposals go ahead – something that was done several years ago before being subsequently being deemed a failure.

However, North Tyneside Council has said these plans were scrapped following negative feedback from both residents and businesses to the suggestion.

A council spokesperson said this week: “There are no current plans for the pedestrianisation of Whitley Bay.

“It was a proposal included by consultants in a document more than a year ago.

“However, the subsequent consultation carried out with residents and other partners confirmed this is not something that should be taken forward.”

A further consultation programme is currently under way regarding the Area Action Plan (AAP) proposals for all the borough’s town centres.

Once adopted the AAP will guide investment and regeneration including brownfield housing sites within these locations over the next 15 years.

During the previous consultation, the council received more than 400 responses and this additional consultation, affecting housing sites, has come about as a result of these as well as several changes in circumstances.

It only covers issues where the council is proposing a significantly different or more detailed policy approach than that of February’s document.

Residents can share their views by accessing the consultation on the council’s website at www.northtyneside.gov.uk before September 28.